In a conversation with Macron on Tuesday, who has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Netanyahu dismissed the idea. This led to sharp exchanges between the two leaders.
Netanyahu means that he is clear that he will not agree to a ceasefire agreement that allows Iran-backed Hezbollah to acquire more weapons and move its forces.
“The Prime Minister opposes a unilateral ceasefire since it will not change the security situation in Lebanon and will return the country to its previous state", says the Israeli Prime Minister's office in a statement.
Demand for Ceasefire
Macron has demanded both a ceasefire and a stop to the export of weapons to Israel used in Gaza and Lebanon. During the meeting, Macron is said to have told Netanyahu that "he must not forget that his country was created through a UN decision", according to the AFP news agency.
This did not fall on fertile ground with Netanyahu, who in a statement emphasized that "the country's founding was achieved through the Arab-Israeli war in 1948, not through a UN decision".
Increased Tensions
Tensions between Netanyahu and Macron have increased since the French leader last week insisted that the only way to stop the conflicts was to stop the export of weapons used by Israel in Gaza and Lebanon.
France has also repeatedly condemned Israel's attacks on UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon, where French UN personnel are involved.
